Yuletide spirit is a few drives away

Christmas is that time of the year when spreading the cheer

and warmth of the season takes friends and families to

spend time together in a themepark, restaurant or the malls.

The staff of Cruising magazine, Manila Bulletins monthly

magazine on wheels and places, has compiled a few places for

motorists who cannot resist the temptation of driving around in

search for some yuletide spirit. (The complete article appears in

Cruisings December issue.)

The following are just short drives, the farthest of which is the

Paskuhan Village in Pampanga. In Metro Manila, two of them are

located along Roxas Boulevard Boom na Boom and Ice and

Snow Wonder Park.

Also included are two very in places which will probably be the

center of attention on New Years day: Ayala and Fort Bonifacio.

Boom na Boom

Boom na Boom, the

countrys longest running

carnival, has established a

reputation as the Christmas

Carnival because it opened

from late November and runs

until after New Years Day.

This year, it is Party ng

Bayan at Boom na Boom,

with at least 60 special

events like concerts, dance contests, streetball challenge, to

entertain visitors who wish to stay away from the rides.

If youre in a winning mood, go visit the carnival. A Millennium

Raffle ng Bayan will give away 20 subdivision lots, 50 sari-sari

store goods, gift packs and cash to 56 winners everyday! Raffle

draws will be held every hour starting at 6 p.m. Entrance and ride

stubs entitle each visitor to a chance to bag any prize.

For the Millennium New Years Eve party, a spectacular fireworks

display is prepared to light up Roxas Blvd., ala Centennial Day.

Picnic tables and chairs will be rented so families can watch the

fireworks in comfort and stay together as the new millennium

dawns in. No need to worry about food and drinks. A wide variety

of foods will be served in the fair grounds.

Boom na Boom opens from 4 p.m. onwards.

Ice and Snow Wonder Park

Ice and Snow Park fulfills

what most Pinoys dream of

a White Christmas.

Located along the CCP

grounds, this 4,000 square

meter park entertains guests

with its awesome sculptures

made from huge blocks of

ice.

The main attraction of the Park is the gigantic ice slide carved in

the form of a T-Rex dinosaur.

Other giant ice sculptures include crystal-clear polar animals,

life-sized igloos, a colossal crystal maze, Chinese pagodas, and

Russian temples.

The carvings are also lighted to reflect the colors of Christmas. To

complete your visit in the two-storey high walk-through structure,

an occasional snowfall shower can be experienced by the whole

family.

Millennium Park

The Millennium Park, formerly known as the

Payanig sa Pasig, is a combined amusement and entertainment center, shopping destination and recreational place for the family.

Phase I of the park which has opened recently is a 3,000-square meter

commercial area and fast-food center; a 4,000-square meter video

arcade; six professional Go-Kart tracks; and 14 amusement rides for kids and adults.

The second phase of the park which will be completed on the

second quarter of next year will have picnic grounds, a fishing and

horseback riding area and educational exhibits.

Millennium Park is located in the heart of Ortigas and is near two

major shopping malls Robinsons Galleria and SM Megamall.

Paskuhan Village

The Paskuhan Village or Philippine Christmas Village, is the first

of its kind in Asia, which is totally dedicated to celebrating

Christmas all year round. Shaped like a giant lantern, it sprawls on

9.3 hectares of land in San Fernando, Pampanga.

Some of its major attractions include a Nativity Scene which

recreates the birth of the Infant Jesus in a Philippine setting. It

features life-sized wooden images carved by the skilled artisans of

Betis, a village in Pampanga noted for its intricate woodcraft.

Another must-see is the Christmas Museum which houses a

collection of Christmas ornaments from all over the world,

sanblasted glass depicting Christmas scenes and a wallto-wall

mural hand-crafted in wood.

Paskuhan is 65 kms. from Manila and can be reached by car

through the North Diversion Road, exit at San Fernando toll plaza.

Ayala Celebrations

By now, the traffic-clogged streets of Ayala and Makati Avenues

have been lighted up by a million small lights to dress up for the

Yuletide season.

For a few more days, witness the transformation of the premier

financial district into a hip party place.

The Ayala Group of companies together with other organizations

will hold the biggest millennium party on the crossroads of Ayala

and Makati avenues. Celebrations will start at the sunset of

December 31 and will last until the sunrise of the new millennium.

What to expect? The best home-grown entertainers like Regine

Velasquez and Jaya to the grandest fireworks display which will

match the height of skyscrapers along Paseo de Roxas.

The Ayala Avenue (from Paseo de Roxas to 6750) and Makati

Avenue (from Ayala Ave. intersection to Landmark) will be lined up with food booths from Ayala Center, Makatis deluxe class hotels

will also be setting up special sitting and dining areas.

The party has the theme One with the World. It also the privilege

of being the only millennium celebration in the Philippines to be

seen around the world through the Global Millennium Day

broadcast.

Boniland at the Fort

Boniland features a fantasy park with 17 state-of-the-art

amusement rides and carnival attractions. It is also the site of a

series of events, dubbed 2.0 prepared by the Fort Bonifacio

Development Corporation to welcome the new millennium.

Ushering in the nine-day Simbang Gabi on Dec. 16 is a Night of

Caroling, featuring a 100-voice choir accompanied by a 40-piece

orchestra. There are nightly Christmas parties, bazaars and puto

bumbong breakfasts to enliven the City two weeks before

Christmas day.

Other attractions include a 50-foot Millennium Tree which towers

alongside a perpetually moving, life-sized Nativity scene. There is

also a Millennium Clock, which ticks off the hours, minutes and

seconds leading to the new year.

The activities will climax on New Years day with a formal, sit-down

Grand New Years Outdoor Ball and MTVs Countdown Concert

with performers such as Gary Valenciano, Martin Nievera, among others.

In the last 30 minutes of the 20th century, a Fireworks, Laser and

Water Light Show will be projected across a specially-constructed 20x40-meter lagoon.

(Reprinted from Cruising, a monthly motor travel magazine,

December issue.)